OCS Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase 1 Extension is one step closer to self-reliance in energy. Aligning itself with the Delhi government's plan to make the capital a "solar city" by 2020, it has decided to set up a rooftop solar-power system. If all goes according to plan, residents believe they will be self-reliant in electricity by next year.

KK Verma, president of OCS Apartments, told City Spidey that the proposal was unanimously approved by residents. "We have an area of 400 sq m marked out for solar panels. The next step is to approach the Delhi government for necessary guidelines and subsidy plans to give this idea shape,” he said.

The government policy promotes net metering for all solar plants above 1 kW capacity, based on regulations issued by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission. “Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar-energy-system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. Hence, the rooftop solar-power system will not only make us self-reliant but may also turn out to be a source of income if we generate more electricity than we consume," Verma added. "As far as installing it is concerned, I don't think there should be a problem, as the government has made it easy with its policies and subsidies."

The Delhi government approved the solar policy in June this year. While it made rooftop solar-energy systems mandatory for government buildings, it encouraged individuals and groups by offering them a subsidy of up to 30 per cent on total cost of the project. It added that no approval would be required from the municipal corporation or other urban development bodies such as the DDA for setting up the solar plants, including any additional system for monitoring the plant's performance.

“After availing the subsidy, a typical 1 kW solar power plant will cost Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. While its payback period will be four to five years, the system itself will last more than 25 years. Apart from offering sustainable energy and environmental benefits, solar power also has a low gestation period, and minimum transmission and distribution losses,” said a Delhi-government spokesperson.